The Denver Nuggets have been handed an unexpected opportunity to either feature or move on from Zeke Nnaji in 2025-26. With the starters devastated by injuries, Nnaji has stepped up to help Denver win games in their absence.
After a woeful 2024-25 season that saw Nnaji stuck to the back end of the bench, he's suddenly played his way into a positive light in 2025-26.
Denver infamously signed Nnaji to a four-year, $32,000,001 million contract extension that formally began in 2024-25. Unfortunately, that directly coincided with a perceived regression that has since spawned a reputation as a player whose contract prevented meaningful roster growth.
With a stronger second unit around him and his number being called, however, the 25-year-old is redeeming himself when the team needs him most.
Trading Nnaji has by no means become a guaranteed opportunity at this stage, particularly given the nature of his contract. He's still owed $23,111,112 million over the next three seasons, which is one of the primary reasons it's been so difficult to move him up to this point.
What Nnaji has accomplished in recent weeks, however, is a reminder to both Denver and the rest of the NBA of the fact that his talent is still worth monitoring.
Zeke Nnaji playing way into being a Nuggets contributor or trade piece
Nnaji averaged just 10.7 minutes per game in 2024-25, but he's thrived despite being thrown to the wolves in 2025-26. With almost the entire starting lineup sidelined, he's stepped up as a scorer, spacer, and defender en route to team success.
Since Jan. 1, Nnaji is averaging 12.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.3 offensive boards, 1.0 assist, 1.3 blocks, 1.3 steals, and 1.2 three-point field goals made on .558/.438/.840 shooting.
Nnaji scored at least 12 points in five of the six games the Nuggets played during that time. That includes a 21-point performance during an overtime win over the Philadelphia 76ers and an outing during which he had 14 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a pair of steals.
In addition to producing eye-opening statistics, Nnaji has helped the Nuggets go 3-3 despite the extraordinary personnel losses they've had to overcome.
That could ultimately mean that Denver will have an opportunity to shop Nnaji ahead of the 2026 trade deadline. It's unlikely that he'd be the centerpiece of a trade, but he could potentially be included with another piece in an effort to upgrade the roster.
Perhaps it's a bit ambitious to believe a short stretch has changed the dynamic in Denver, but Nnaji is quickly changing the narrative about him.